Hair transplantation is an increasingly popular method of restoring hair for those suffering from androgenetic alopecia, scarring alopecia or other types of hair loss. One of the key terms in this procedure is graft, which refers to the unit of hair follicles transplanted. In this article, we will take a closer look at the issue of grafts in hair transplantation and explain why the number and quality of grafts are of great importance to the effectiveness of the transplant.
What are grafts in hair transplantation?
A graft is a small tissue unit containing one or more hair follicles, which are taken from a donor area (usually the back and side of the head) and transplanted into the baldness-affected, or recipient, areas. Each graft can contain one to four, and sometimes as many as five, hairs. Depending on the transplantation technique and the patient’s individual circumstances, the number of grafts transplanted can range from several hundred to several thousand in a single session.
Nowadays, instruments up to 1mm in diameter are used and in practice, grafts are taken with only 1 hair follicle, so 1 graft can be considered equal to one hair follicle. Hair follicles usually contain 1 to 4 hairs because they grow in natural groups called follicular units. In the past, when larger diameter tools were used, such as 3 mm, there may have been 3 or more hair follicles in one graft. When implanted, they produced a “doll’s hair” effect.
Types of transplanted grafts
Depending on the method of hair transplantation, there are several types of grafts:
1. monocellular grafts – contain a single hair follicle, used mainly in the hairline area to achieve a natural effect.
2. Multicellular grafts – consist of two, three or more hair follicles and are used to increase density in the central part of the head.
3. Micrografts and minigrafts – used in older transplant techniques, now replaced by more precise hair follicle units.
Does the number of grafts equal the number of hairs?
1 graft, which can be equated today with one hair follicle, is a structure consisting of 1 to 4 (sometimes more) hairs. A hair follicle can produce a single hair or several hairs. Therefore, the number of grafts means the number of units transplanted, and the number of hairs will be higher because each graft can contain multiple hairs. For example, if 1,000 follicles are taken, and each follicle has 2 hairs each, then a total of 2,000 hairs will be taken. The average number of hairs per follicle in Central and Eastern Europe is 2.3-2.6. In practice, this means that after taking 1000 follicles, we will have a dozen follicles with one hair, most follicles with two and three hairs, and a dozen or more follicles with four and five hairs.
By comparison, in people of Asian descent, the average number of hairs per follicle is about 2.0. However, the number of hairs per follicle is not the only factor affecting the effect of a hair transplant. Most often, people with thick hair have less hair in quantity than those with thin hair. But thicker hair is better at imparting density and covering the scalp. Therefore, the number of hair follicles needed for transplantation must be selected individually depending on the type, texture and thickness of the hair.
Graft harvesting methods
Currently, two main methods of graft harvesting are most commonly used:
1. FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) – the method involves surgically taking a strip of skin from the donor area and then dividing it into individual follicular units. This technique allows for a large number of grafts in a short time, but leaves a linear scar.
2. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) – involves single harvesting of hair follicles using a special micropuncher. It is less invasive and leaves no visible scar, but requires more precision and time.
What is the significance of the number of grafts?
The number of grafts needed for transplantation depends on several factors, such as the degree of baldness, the density of hair in the donor area and the desired effect. With androgenetic alopecia, it is common to transplant 2,000 to 4,000 grafts in a single session, while larger areas require as many as 5,000 grafts.
The quality of the grafts is as important as their number. Hair follicles must be properly prepared to increase the chances of their survival and further growth after transplantation. Therefore, the experience of the doctor and the precision of the procedure are crucial to the final result.
Healing and hair growth process
After hair transplantation, patients may notice an initial loss of hair from the transplanted grafts, a natural phenomenon called “shock loss.” After about 3-4 months, new hair begins to grow, and the full effect of the transplant is visible after 9-12 months.
To increase the chances of the procedure’s success, patients should follow the doctor’s instructions, avoid excessive physical exertion, do not touch the transplanted areas and follow the prescribed scalp care.
Is a hair transplant permanent?
One of the most frequently asked questions by patients is whether transplanted hair is permanent. In most cases, hair taken from the donor area is resistant to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for androgenetic alopecia. As a result, the transplanted hair should grow for life. However, it is important to remember that the aging process and other factors, such as stress and poor diet, can affect the overall condition of the hair.
Summary
Grafts are the basic unit in hair transplantation and are crucial to the success of the entire procedure. Their number, quality and the way they are taken affect the final result and the naturalness of the hairstyle after transplantation. Thanks to modern techniques such as FUE, patients can enjoy permanent and aesthetic results without visible scars. However, it is worth remembering that hair transplantation is an advanced procedure requiring the experience of specialists, so it is worth consulting a reputable hair transplant clinic before making a decision. In addition, it is advisable to take care of proper scalp care and a healthy lifestyle to maintain the best possible transplant effect for years to come.
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